English: DID YOU KNOW

Scientific name: Bubulcus coromandus Higher classification: Bubulcus Phylum: Chordata Rank: Species

CATTLE EGRET BEHAVIOR The reason that they do so though is such movements will stir up plenty of insects for them to consume. They sometimes are seen riding around on the backs of animals because they are able to get food stirring up that way and they can eat it while conserving energy. They don't eat parasites off of the bodies of cattle or horses but that is a common myth.

CATTLE EGRET FEEDING The Cattle Egret forages for food in the grass in addition to following around animals and tractors. They are opportunistic so they will find all they can to eat when it is readily offered to them. They are attracted to fire because they know that there will often be various insects around that are trying to get away from the heat and flames that they can consume. Spiders are a common part of their diet. They often eat grasshoppers and that is a nice benefit for farmers. Grasshoppers can quickly destroy their crops so they like to see the Cattle Egret around. They know that they will help to alleviate the problem so that they don’t need to use tons of pesticides or allow the grasshoppers to destroy their crops.

CATTLE EGRET REPRODUCTION

When it is time for breeding the Cattle Egret will create colonies of them that are found around islands, the swamps, and in the woodlands. They create nests there and once they have mated the couple will work as a pair to watch over the eggs. Each nest can have from 1 to 9 eggs deposited in it, being the average 3.